Here is a new thread describing an experiment I just started with Alkaline water...

Experiment to beat PN symptoms: Alkaline water at 9.5 PH and -280 ORP...

In a previous thread titled "Got PN from sacral adjustment 12 years ago..."

I described the symptoms and the strategy I was going to employ to try and remedy them. This includes a slew of supplements, strong magnetic belt covering the entire lumbar/sacrum area, IFc and Alkaline water...

So after some extensive research, I bought one of the best models made by the Korean firm KYK with 7 titanium plates coated with platinum, guaranteed for 5 years: the retail price was US$1695.00 including a set of spare filters and if I buy 2 more, I'll get wholesale price on the 3 units at just under $1000.00 a piece...

The machine is very well made, includes inline filter and pressure reducer with snap-in connections: installation was a breeze and yesterday I drunk my first glass of water at 9.5 PH and -280 ORP...

There is a large body of evidence, mainly testimonials, showing that Alkaline water cures many ailments, as it rebalances our systems, which usually suffers from too much acidity. Lourdes in France has a source honored by the Catholics, whose water is at 9.5 PH and has been credited with curing many thousands of pilgrims...

It may be wishful thinking, but it seems to me that my feet felt much more alive when I woke up this morning and I also felt more relaxed: too soon to tell, of course, but I will monitor my blood pressure and pulse daily, as this water is supposed to lower both and help with weight loss, as well...

I'll keep you all posted of any progress or set back as they unfold...

I am somewhat skeptical about "alkaline water".
The stomach is meant to be very acidic for reasons. This acid state facilitates the absorption of certain minerals and vitamins in our food.... folic acid, B12, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc.

About 30% of elderly people aready have low acid in their stomachs. And those taking acid reducing drugs. Proteins cannot be digested properly in an alkaline environment.

Drinking alkaline water would result in normal stomach acids being neurtralized. This happens also with the use of antacids by people with heartburn. When the pH of the stomach goes alkaline, a syndrome can result called "milk alkali syndrome"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk-alkali_syndrome
This was more common before the fancy drugs we have now like Zantac and Prilosec which lower acid through other mechanisms.

The acid present in the stomach is neutralized by the juices from the pancreas when leaving the stomach.

I found this link about the chemistry involved with the discussion of "alkaline water"....
http://www.chem1.com/CQ/ionbunk.html

So until I see some real studies showing benefit, I will remain somewhat skeptical. I have seen some sites recommend not using alkaline water all the time. So that might be a good idea just in case there is some downside to the whole thing.

Thank you for your views on Alkaline water: as I said, it's only an experiment based on a number of testimonials that appear to be genuine and the many cures attributed to the PH 9.5 water from Lourdes, France...

Actually, I am getting the first inklings of PN spreading to my hands and it's worrying me, as it seems to spread fast. Wondering whether exposure 14 hours a day to the radiations of a 21" old style CRT computer screen and drinking my fair share of wine and tea laced with rum has anything to do with it...

I have identified several painful nodes (when pressing on them) that seem to correspond to the passage of nerves that appear to be inflamed and may contribute to the PN symptoms: I am applying large magnets to them...

- Leg: when sitting, on the inner side opposite the knee, slightly below the crease. When massaging this area I feel the difference in my feet...

- Arm: slightly above the crease opposite the elbow on the inner side. I also feel the effect in my hands when massaging this node which is only painful when pressing on it...

Mrs. D, have you ever heard of Topiramate and Lamotrigine to help nerves regrowth?...

No I haven't. I don't think there are any DRUGS that enhance nerve regrowth, now. There are neuro growth factors being investigated, which are peptides and would need injection.
They are not available as yet.

Anticonvulsant drugs orally are used to block pain impulses however. The anticonvulsants typically are sodium channel blockers.

If you find the studies about nerve regrowth, many here would love to seem them!

A new study using amitriptyline was published recently. This drug is an old antidepressant, and has been used for chronic pain and PN for decades.

What about intravenous immune globulin (IVIG)?

--is not a nerve growth factor per se, though if it is effective in slowing down autoimmune attack on nerve components, it might allow nerves to begin to regenerate absent constant attack. (It works, presumably, by slowing down rogue antibodies that the body is using to attack self by diluting their concentration and providing others to compete with them. It is not likley to be much good if one's condition does not have an immune component.)

As to the other aspect of the discussion, I seem to remember some flurry of articles recently about one or more of the anti-depressants (not the anti-convulsants, I believe) possibly being preliminarily shown to have some nerve regenerative properties; I have to go research that a little further for specifics. (I do remember the whole thing being very preliminary and in need of much further testing, though.)

It was amitriptyline, Glenn. This is the only TCA from the old first generation antidepressants that showed this action.

There is a thread here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...=amitriptyline

IVIG poses a risk and should be reserved for PNs that are autoimmune, fast spreading, etc.

GBS, and those caused by Campylobacter infections (food poisoning) would be examples. Lupus, and other autoimmune more slowly progressing also respond. Progressing PNs with motor loss, is another candidate.

But keep in mind that IVIG is processed from up to a 1000 donors, and even though it is screened and purified, it carries the risk of prion disease and other viral contaminations.

There was a huge globulin issue a few years ago, when a donor in Utah was diagnosed with nVariant Creutsfeld Jacob disease (similar to mad cow). All gamma globulins for injection (many nurses use this when they get a needle stick) and the IVIGs went off the market for a while.

Here is another article about another type of contamination.
http://www.weightfixerohio.com/Nanob...tamination.htm

So IVIG products should be used only in cases where they MUST be. They are invasive and carry some risks, even though as much care as possible is given to their manufacture today. IMO there are not to be taken lightly.

Mrs. D, I wondered if you could comment on issues I raised earlier:

Actually, I am getting the first inklings of PN spreading to my hands and it's worrying me, as it seems to spread fast. Wondering whether exposure 14 hours a day to the radiations of a 21" old style CRT computer screen and drinking my fair share of wine and tea laced with rum has anything to do with it...

I have identified several painful nodes (when pressing on them) that seem to correspond to the passage of nerves that appear to be inflamed and may contribute to the PN symptoms: I am applying large magnets to them...

- Leg: when sitting, on the inner side opposite the knee, slightly below the crease. When massaging this area I feel the difference in my feet...

- Arm: slightly above the crease opposite the elbow on the inner side. I also feel the effect in my hands when massaging this node which is only painful when pressing on it...

Btw, magnets seem to have an effect on the pain while in use: the Magnetic Black Belt people sent me magnetic insoles as a gift and even though the field is quite weak, it makes a good bit of difference...

I read a study where magnetic socks were used: do you know where I can get these?...